Partnership ensures bright future for Chinchilla community

A 10-year partnership between CS Energy and the Western Downs Regional Council will continue the Chinchilla Community Benefits Trust and help keep the region a great place to live.

CS Energy and the Council have announced the extension of the Chinchilla Community Benefits Trust for a further 10 years, with CS Energy committing $300,000 in funding, an increase of $50,000.

The announcement was made at a community function in Chinchilla on Thursday night to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the opening of Kogan Creek Power Station and Mine in 2007.

CS Energy Chairman Jim Soorley said the company was proud to continue working in partnership with Western Downs Regional Council on the Chinchilla Community Benefits Trust.

“The Trust was established in 2004 to support the Chinchilla region throughout the construction of the power station and beyond,” Mr Soorley said.

“Since that time it has delivered more than $1 million in funding to 115 local projects in the Chinchilla, Kogan and Brigalow areas.”

Western Downs Regional Council Spokesperson for Community and Cultural Development Cr Kaye Maguire said the 10-year commitment would significantly bolster the community.

“It’s a very generous sum of money, and it means the trust will be able to fund programs that will enrich the lives of locals in this region,” she said.

“We are thrilled to partner with CS Energy on this, and look forward to the community projects that come out of this.”

Chinchilla C&K Kindergarten Director Sarah Waters said being one of the current recipients of the funding had allowed the purchase of valuable resources.

“Children and staff have enjoyed using these resources in their classrooms and we look forward to utilising them in the following years,” Ms Waters said.

Focus areas for the Trust are projects that improve community facilities; enhance skills, education, training and youth development; increase health, safety and wellbeing, or benefit the local environment.

A total of $60,000 will be available in each round of the Trust. The next round will open in late 2018, with recipients awarded in early 2019.